Peacocks spread their gaudy plumage to the cool evening air as they strut over the green plain; the giant crane stands statue-like among the shallows; the pelican floats like a ball of snow upon the dark water; and ducks and waterfowl of all kinds splash, and dive, and scream in a confused noise, the volume of which explains their countless numbers.
Foremost among the waterfowl for beauty is the water-pheasant.

He is generally seen standing upon the broad leaf of a lotus, pecking at the ripe seeds and continually uttering his plaintive cry, like the very distant note of a hound.

This bird is most beautifully formed, and his peculiarity of color is well adapted to his shape.

He is something like a cock pheasant in build and mode of carriage, but he does not exceed the size of a pigeon.

His color is white, with a fine brown tinsel glittering head and long tail; the wings of the cock bird are likewise ornamented with similar brown tinsel feathers.